HONOLULU (KITV4) - Crews with the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) have been taking response efforts to new heights, dispatching drones more often lately during emergencies. 

In addition to helping the first responders get a better view of blazes, their drones have been assisting personnel locate missing hikers and swimmers. 

"If it's a hiker that we have discovered and we know their location, there's also the capability of dropping a care package to them, with water, a blanket, things that they may need, even an external battery pack," HFD Capt. Jaimie Kinard said. 

The drones are also equipped with speakers to project emergency messages, which helped disperse beachgoers lounging on shore when pandemic gathering restrictions were still in place. 

Fire officials added the devices have become key to keeping responders safe. 

"With hazardous materials for instance, we can identify what kind of hazardous material it is without sending our crews close by and potentially risking their own safety," Kinard said. 

Last week, a brush fire burned about 8 acres in Maili on the Fourth of July, in which drones helped crews locate entry points and hot spots to help extinguish the blaze faster. 

During the holiday wildfire, Kinard reported there were three non-agency drones flying over the blaze as well. 

The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits recreational drone flying over rescue operations and emergencies such as fires and hurricanes. 

"It puts our personnel at risk and impedes our operations," Kinard explained, adding crews on the ground follow HFD's drones toward hot spots, so seeing multiple airborne devices could confuse them. 

Crowded airspace, Kinard emphasized, also means heightened risk for crashes. 

In addition to asking recreational drone owners to follow FAA regulations, HFD is also looking to train more of its personnel to handle the devices. There are currently 12 certified drone operators in the department.  

"We're still a pilot program, so we're exploring all of the possibilities with personnel, with equipment, and always re-evaluating the functionality and the success of our program," Kinard said. 

Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com

A man was arrested for assault after an elderly man was found unconscious and bleeding in downtown Hilo. 

Chad Kalenakai Gahan Armitage Jr., 27, was arrested and charged by Hawaii Island police for assault and robbery for an incident that occurred on July 10. 

Shortly after 12:30pm on Sunday, South Hilo officers responded to reports of an assault on Kilauea Avenue near Keawe Street. 

'A'ali'i is a reporter with KITV. He was born and raised on the island of Maui and graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Journalism.

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